A/HRC/30/26 Contents Page I. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 3 II. Human rights framework relating to equal participation in political and public affairs .................. 3 III. Challenges to the right to participate in political and public affairs ................................................. 5 A. General challenges to participation in political and public affairs ........................................... 6 B. Challenges affecting women and specific groups .................................................................... 7 Best practices and experiences with respect to the right to participate in political and public affairs ............................................................................................................ 10 A. Right to vote and to be elected ................................................................................................. 10 B. Participation in the conduct of public affairs ........................................................................... 11 C. Right to equal access to public service .................................................................................... 12 D. Other forms of political and public participation ..................................................................... 13 E. Best practices with regard to women and specific groups ....................................................... 13 Conclusions and recommendations .................................................................................................. 17 IV. V. 2